Football: Ranieri hopes Leicester can be first past post

Claudio Ranieri has urged Leicester not to lose focus as he tries to guide the shock leaders past the Premier League’s winning post.

On the weekend of the Grand National, Ranieri’s side can take another significant stride towards becoming English football’s most unlikely champions as the title race enters the final furlong.

The Foxes, who face struggling Sunderland on Sunday, are seven points clear of second placed Tottenham, who host Manchester United also on Sunday, with just six games remaining.

“We are in front, but we have to run a lot now. We have finished the (last) corner and now we are looking at the line,” Ranieri said when asked if his team might stumble like horses in Saturday’s race at Aintree.

“We have to hold on tight and stick our elbows out to make sure nobody gets past.
“What we do is important, before thinking about everything, then we can check the table. I’ll repeat to my players it’s important what we do.

“I must be focused. I expect Tottenham, Arsenal, everyone to win all their games.

“At this moment I don’t think behind me, I look forward and to the next match. Sunderland is a very difficult match.

“Everyone is looking at what happens in the last six matches, me too, I am very curious, but we have to wait.

“There are a lot of people pushing behind us and that’s important but it’s important to keep our feet on the ground.”